St. Louis Rams: Tuesday's News and Notes at Noon (Training Camp)

Welcome to Tuesday's St. Louis Rams "News and Notes at Noon", the premiere destination for major Rams headlines and updates of interest with brief commentary and analysis.

Once again, due to the heavy training camp schedule, the analysis and commentary offered will be minimal.

St. Louis Rams Training Camp: Full Report and Top Performers From Day Two

The intensity level seemed cranked up a notch as the Rams engaged in day two of training camp from the Continuity X Training Center.

I was on hand and shared my observations from practice, including the day's top performers, reviews of position specific work, my thoughts on several impressive rookies, assessments of some exciting one on one work and various additional observations.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell offered this feature on St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford and the potential he possesses to show everyone why he was the NFL's offensive rookie of the year in 2010 and why he can be so much better.

According to Jeff Fisher via the above-linked column, Bradford is looking good:

Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

Sam Bradford at camp

His potential is extremely, extremely good.

The things that we're seeing from him right now. A really good understanding of the offense, not afraid to practice, not afraid to pull the trigger, (learning) from the mistakes, just taking charge. And that's what he's doing. He's done a great job, he's making some great throws. You're already seeing him develop a relationship with even the young receivers already. You saw today him throwing to (Brian) Quick all day. Those things are important. He's right on track.

Burwell's piece also offered some tremendous quotes from Bradford and some very interesting insight and commentary on the immensely talented quarterback, a column I would certainly urge you to read in full.

Rams Owe it to Jackson to Become a Winner

According to Brian Feldman and this piece for kmov.com, the Rams owe it to three time Pro Bowl back Steven Jackson to become a winning team.

Feldman suggests that, after years of great production on one subpar team after another, Jackson deserves some team success.

Sticking with that process, here is a terrific link from fox2now sharing Jackson's thoughts on his goal of making the playoffs in 2012.

Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

Michael Brockers

Michael Brockers Is Ready For the Challenge

In this piece available at stltoday.com, Dan O'Neill profiles the Rams first round pick from the 2012 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Michael Brockers.

Among other things, Brockers talks about his adjustment to the NFL and his long, thick beard.

In addition, O'Neill shared some thoughts from Jeff Fisher on Brockers, including these:

He's picking everything up mentally. He came (to training camp) in really good shape. His strength is good. ... It's just a matter of, wait until we get the pads on, get him in some preseason games and see how he can compete against starting offensive lines.

According to Wagoner, both are coming along nicely and adjusting well to the pro game thus far.

Both Jenkins and Johnson seem confident that they will continue to develop throughout training camp for St. Louis.

Jenkins, in particular, has looked good thus far.

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Danny Amendola

Other Day Two Camp Reviews

Nick Wagoner, senior writer for stlouisrams.com, posted another blog update after day two of Rams camp. Among many other things, Wagoner details wide receiver Greg Salas and his move back to the outside after playing primarily in the slot last season.

With slot man extraordinaire Danny Amendola in the fold, it is important that Salas can be effective on the outside in any set or on the inside, if called upon, in four receiver formations.

Former NFL executive Tony Softli asserted in this piece for 101sports.com that the intensity picked up in day two or Rams Camp, as I noted in my piece, linked above.

Softil also suggested, among other things, that the men will be separated from the grown men on Thursday when the full roster puts pads on for the first time.

Mike Sando of ESPN offered his take on the day two action from Earth City, Missouri in this submission for espn.com. Sando, who I enjoyed speaking with briefly yesterday, keyed on Sam Bradford and James Laurinaitis in the above-linked article.

Finally, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatchoffered his impressions on the second day of camp practices and shared a detailed update on rookie offensive guard Rokevious Watkins, who reported out of shape but appears to be nearing his return to the practice field.

More Training Camp Reports

Andrew Astleford of foxsportsmidwest.com shared this feature on the Rams first day of camp. Astleford, in the aforementioned piece, focuses on Jeff Fisher and the confidence he exudes on the field.

He also took a close look at the impressive coaching staff the Rams have assembled.

Interviews Galore Including Sam Wyche of the NFL Network Saying Rams Will Be Better

In an interview with Bernie Miklasz for 101 ESPN aka 101sports.com, Sam Wyche of the NFL Network state, among other things, that St. Louis will be better this Fall.

In an interview with 101sports.com, quarterback Sam Bradford expressed that he feels that camp is certainly different this year.

In yet another interview from 101sports.com, middle linebacker James Laurinaitis shared his impressions of camp to date and his thoughts on Chris Long's new contract and the prospects on himself receiving a contract extension soon.

For even more interviews from the aforementioned website and radio station with the likes of Rams Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff, former NFL executive Tony Softl and Andrew Siciliano from the NFL Network, please click this.

Randy Karraker offers his opinions for 101sports.com and why he feels locking up the standout defensive end bodes well for the St. Louis future.

It is certainly a piece I would suggest taking a few moments to read.

Rams Turn Attention to Re-Signing James Laurinaitis

According to this piece from Jim Thomas for stltoday.com, the St. Louis front office is now turning their attention to extending the contract of James Laurinaitis following the announced four year extension of DE Chris Long.

Thomas shared some great quotes on Laurinaitis and from Laurinaitis in the above-linked piece.

Jay Drowns/Getty Images

James Laurinaitis

Rams Sign Former Pro Bowl Fullback Ovie Mughelli

In this piece for stltoday.com by Dan O'Neill, new fullback Ovie Mughelli, a 2010 Pro Bowl player, is profiled and quoted extensively.

Mughelli, 32, looks to take over most of the run blocking duties for the Rams. It would not be surprising to see a fullback cut loose soon from the current St. Louis roster.

Last season, Mughelli's year was cut short due to injury but looks to have a bounce back year.

Head coach Jeff Fisher, via O'Neill's column, appears to be very high on the big fullback:

He's one of the better fullbacks to play in the modern era.

If he has another good year left in him, that type of blocking could pave the way for an enhanced running attack from Steven Jackson and rookie Isaiah Pead.

Mughelli, for his part, feels he has three or four more good seasons left:

I know I'm capable of playing three or four more years in the league at a high level.

Rams Fan Chat With Rams VP of Fooball Operations and COO Kevin Demoff

Finally, in a chat available at theramshuddle.com, Rams Chief Operating Officer and VP of Football Operations answered a plethora of questions, in great details, from various Rams fans.